27 | Matheus Nunes - 2025/26

[De Bruyne Supremacy]

This could also describe Zinchenko and we were pretty decent while he was here

17-22 City was a very different team that Zinchenko was playing with, compared to 2025 City. Drop that version of Zinchenko into this City team and his defensive performances wouldn't be any better than Nunes and most likely worse, given Nunes' athletic abilities bails him out a few sticky situations

 

[Lavinda Past]

That doesn't even remotely explain why we played him so often

Lack of options. No more, no less. He was the best of an average bunch of left footed possible 'defenders'.
Zinchenko did his best and was a decent player for us, but he was rarely (if ever) used in his 'best' position.
With no specialist LB signings and no indication of a strong prospect coming through the academy, Zinchenko was always going to get a game.

Nunes is Zinchenko with a right foot.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Lack of options. No more, no less. He was the best of an average bunch of left footed possible 'defenders'.
Zinchenko did his best and was a decent player for us, but he was rarely (if ever) used in his 'best' position.
With no specialist LB signings and no indication of a strong prospect coming through the academy, Zinchenko was always going to get a game.

Nunes is Zinchenko with a right foot.

Nunes is better than Zinchenko (and even Cancelo) with his offensive production.

If we can just get him to lower his defensive mistakes he would be a superstar.

I read somewhere a person was saying he coaches various levels of football and Nunes looks supremely talented and a superstar but defensively looks like he didn't even attend 11 year old football academy drills.

That's the challenge.. get him upto acceptable levels. He'll never be Walker defensively and we have to accept that but hopefully he can be more of an asset than a liability.

 

[big gaz]

Lack of options. No more, no less. He was the best of an average bunch of left footed possible 'defenders'.
Zinchenko did his best and was a decent player for us, but he was rarely (if ever) used in his 'best' position.
With no specialist LB signings and no indication of a strong prospect coming through the academy, Zinchenko was always going to get a game.

Nunes is Zinchenko with a right foot.

But who had the brain
Zinkys pass to Rodders is still on the highlight reel ;-)
Sorry Internationals we all get bored :-)

 

[pfs87]

Worth pushing him up to the wing now Khus seems to be the preferred RB?

Neither Bobb nor Sav convince as a starter yet and Bernie seems most effective these days when he's running about firefighting

 

[TonyM]

Worth pushing him up to the wing now Khus seems to be the preferred RB?

Neither Bobb nor Sav convince as a starter yet and Bernie seems most effective these days when he's running about firefighting

100%

Bernardo has improved over the past few games but for me should be more central with Nunes offering width and speed.

Khusonov at RB is a revelation. (Same with ORielly at LB imo who allows for AitNouri to be tried left wing when fit).

 

[bondsman]

Can’t believe folk still want this guy to start. Pep says he isn’t good enough for his position. We’ve looked better without him. Crazy to now try and shoehorn him in as a winger

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Can’t believe folk still want this guy to start. Pep says he isn’t good enough for his position. We’ve looked better without him. Crazy to now try and shoehorn him in as a winger

He played pretty good as a left winger last season.

Has a top cross in him despite his defensive shortcomings.. so if we run into a low block and need help beating it with pace or an overhead cross.. he can help in that regard!

A defender he's not!

It's basically becoming what position is not nailed down and presents an opening.

Goalkeeper set
DM set
Striker set
#10 set
Doku seems to have nailed the free role down too set.
Khusanov RB set.
Nico O'Reilly LB set.

CB's not set yet.. neither is #8 or RW.

 

[bondsman]

He played pretty good as a left winger last season.

Has a top cross in him despite his defensive shortcomings.. so if we run into a low block and need help beating it with pace or an overhead cross.. he can help in that regard!

A defender he's not!

It's basically becoming what position is not nailed down and presents an opening.

Goalkeeper set
DM set
Striker set
#10 set
Doku seems to have nailed the free role down too set.
Khusanov RB set.
Nico O'Reilly LB set.

CB's not set yet.. neither is #8 or RW.

He’s nailed sub for me

 

[WallyA]

I dont want him on the wing, I'd rather use the plethora of options there.

Just make him the backup RB, I dont see an issue with that. If he wants to leave then so be it.

I still like him as anbattacking RB and think he is better than Khus at this, but right now having a defensive option first is better for our stability.

 

[skillman]

Did very well when he came on. Was targeted but stood up to the test well.

 

[Chak19]

Was that Khusanov in disguise in that second half ? because I didn't notice any difference, apart from slipping a couple times early on he never put a foot wrong.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Pretty good other than a slip.. thankfully didn't cost us.

 

[RayCTID]

Pleased he is still being trusted after his penalty mistake vs Brighton. A decent half

 

[ninjamonkey]

Better half than Khusanov, (who was also great) but won't get even half the credit.

 

[Pollock's Deft Backheader]

Great in the box getting the ball away.

 

[AlthamBlue]

Very good outside of slipping on his arse just after he came on.

 

[Blue-Ghana]

could be an option in midfield again as Rjeinders in not giving us control

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Played really well. Just needs to buy some studs.

 

[Ajm1985]

Was that Khusanov in disguise in that second half ? because I didn't notice any difference, apart from slipping a couple times early on he never put a foot wrong.

This. Slipped twice, annoyingly, but stood up well and made vital blocks